Manmohan Singh died on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92; he will be remembered as one of India’s greatest leaders. Not only was he the first Sikh to be Prime Minister, he was also the architect of sweeping economic reforms that transformed India into a global player. During his 10 years in office from 2004 to 2014, he had focused on policies designed to lift people out of poverty and boost the economy’s standing in the world. Liberalization under Singh exposed the world to India, and India to the world, enabling the country to fight for her place as a major economic player.
Singh, who was soft-spoken and principled in his leadership, influenced economic growth beyond the realm of the economic. He used these welfare schemes — some of which bettered the lives of millions — to convey his commitment to social justice. Another key achievement of his government, which exists till today, is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) that assured the rural poor atleast 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household.
Singh rose through the political ranks after assuming the post of Finance Minister in 1991, a period of massive economic turmoil for India. Devaluation of the rupee, reduction of import tariffs and foreign investment were the thrust of his initiatives, laying the foundation for the transformation of India’s economy. He was instrumental in India’s shift from a closed economy to a more open economy connected to the global markets.
During his two terms in office as Prime Minister, Singh oversaw a number of landmark achievements, including a strong economy that had an average growth rate of approximately 9% each year between 2005 and 2008, in his first term. His style of leadership involved building consensus and working within coalition governments that had to accommodate many different political interests.
Yet, Singh’s second term was plagued with several allegations of corruption and the scandals thus raised overshadowed few initial successes, and led to the Congress party defeat in the 2014 elections.
Manmohan Singh’s global dealings also more than a little shape his legacy. He promoted peaceful and diplomatic ties — particularly with Pakistan and China. Under his leadership, there were efforts to engage Pakistan for possible commonality, but this was thwarted on many structural levels through incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Singh’s approach emphasized collaboration and cooperation over confrontation and this was reflected in his priority of ending conflicts through dialogues.
One of the landmark achievements of his regime was the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal, which changed India’s foreign policy posture, laying the foundation for civilian nuclear relations with America. Singh also helped establish BRICS — the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, held up the rising powers of the developing world where much of the economic growth in recent years has been taking place.
As news broke about Manmohan Singh passing away, political leaders and citizens expressed their tributes. Describing Singh as one of the “greatest leaders” of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the former prime minister’s contribution to make a difference in people’s lives was “substantial”. Leaders spanning the political spectrum have praised Singh’s insight, humility, and dedication to the country, underscoring his national influence on Indian politics.
In a nation that has changed significantly since he entered national politics in the 1990s, Singh’s legacy is both long-lasting and complex, not least due to the controversies that clamoured around the last years of his political life. His long-term vision of an India which is economically prosperous, but socially inclusive is going to guide many generations of leaders and policymakers who come after jego. Manmohan Singh passed away around the age of 91 and most people remember his prime ministerial role as a crucial period for India.
Ultimately, Manmohan Singh moved the needle through both his policies and the collective psyche of a nation from which even at age 92 he has yet to be able to rest. As India looks back on his legacy, may his values of economic reform, honesty, and diplomacy be adopted by all those who take on the mantle that he successfully wore.
